Audi A1 e-tron: 20 car test fleet now running in Munich, Germany

A test fleet of 20 Audi A1 e-tron is running in Munich, Germany.

The purpose, as with so many of the plug-in vehicle test fleets run by major automakers, is to gather data on how people use these new powertrains. In Munich, Audi’s data-collecting partner is the Technische Universität München, with E.ON and the public utility Stadtwerke München responsible for the local charging infrastructure. Befitting a high-profile program like this, at least some of the energy used to power the A1 plug-in hybrids will be generated from renewable sources.

Since the A1 e-tron can be powered by both gasoline and electricity, it’s clear that some of the Munich miles will not be renewably sourced. The little A1 e-tron can go up to 31 miles on electric power, enough to get most urban residents around their city each day without emitting any local emissions. When the lithium-ion battery runs out, a “compact combustion engine” kicks in.